Just before midnight on Friday millions of people living in south-east Queensland were told to take shelter, to go to the strongest room and stay there. 

Tropical Cyclone Alfred was coming their way and for most residents it was the first time they’d faced such a threat. 

By the next morning Alfred would be downgraded to a tropical low, even before it reached the mainland. 

So what happened? How did it unfold and how should we assess the warnings, preparation and response?

Today, we speak to a cyclone expert and go to Lismore in northern New South Wales where the community is breathing a sigh of relief. 

Featured: 

Jonathan Nott, professor of Geoscience at James Cook University

Jenny Dowell, Red Cross deputy team leader and former mayor of Lismore